LEAP Testimonials: Alia, Dana, Suzanne, Shaheena

“No words can do this life-altering experience justice. I don’t want to say that LEAP changed me or anyone else; rather, it awakened in all of us something deeper — something that is inside all of us to begin with, but is often difficult to find. It is the feeling that we, as people, can be a part of something much bigger than ourselves and that we are capable of inciting a positive change, however small. The Palestinian refugee crisis is a humanitarian disaster that needs immediate global attention and aid, and LEAP is working to shine a desperately needed spotlight on this issue in Lebanon. To be a part of that was an honor. Besides being among the most passionate and inspirational people I have yet to meet in my life, this experience gave me, as a Palestinian, renewed hope… And that in and of itself is one of the greatest blessings of all. I am positive that my fellow LEAP-ers and I will continue to be adamant advocates for Palestinian rights and take this journey with us for the rest of our lives.”

-Alia, Boston College, Summer 2012

“Having worked with LEAP and its bright students, I witnessed first-hand the necessity and the fruitfulness of this program. The students I worked with had great potential and luckily LEAP provided the opportunity for these students to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. While we may not be able to change the laws that govern the rights Palestinian refugees have in Lebanon, we can support LEAP in empowering these individuals through educational means, which can lead to better futures.”

-Dana, Rutgers University, Summer 2012

“My experience this summer solidified my dedication to the world’s refugee population and opened my conscience to Palestinian refugees in particular. I hope to continue my work to enhance my solidarity with the Palestinian community in Tyre and their right to education.”

-Suzanne, Summer 2012

“I felt I made hands on approach when it came to changing the systems which fail us every day. I love that I wasn’t just empowering someone, but I too was empowered in turn as a minority. I felt like an active member in society rather than just simply donating money because I saw the results in my own classroom. The most unforgettable feeling was when a student in my class which was the beginner’s level could speak five minutes of English by the end of the program, when in the beginning he could only say his name. There no better way to empower people than with an education.”

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LEAP is a grassroots volunteer program established to provide educational empowerment projects to support the intellectual growth and creative curiosity of refugee-youth in Lebanon so they may become agents of change. As an apolitical humanitarian US-based organization, LEAP aims to raise awareness about the plight of Palestinian refugees in general, but particularly in Lebanon, to American volunteers.